BCAFN Calls on BC’s Universities to Stand with Residential School Survivors

Press Release

January 23, 2026

(Lheidli T’enneh Territory/Prince George, BC) The BCAFN strongly condemns the continued OneBC demonstrations occurring at several university campuses across British Columbia. These demonstrations undermine and diminish the impacts of residential schools and the lived experiences of First Nations in BC, the effects of which must be taken seriously by BC’s post-secondary institutions.

These demonstrations have occurred at Thompson Rivers University, the University of Victoria, the University of the Fraser Valley, and, most recently, at the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus on the traditional territory of the Musqueam First Nation.

UBC is home to the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, which provides access to records and information for Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of the residential school system. By allowing this demonstration to take place on its campus, UBC has jeopardized the safety of First Nations students, faculty, staff, and survivors, contradicting its commitments to reconciliation and partnership with BC First Nations.

The BCAFN calls on all universities to prohibit these demonstrations from occurring and stand with residential school survivors in solidarity to ensure that post-secondary institutes remain safe places for our people.

“MLA Dallas Brodie and OneBC supporters continue to spread misinformation, fueled by anti-First Nations racism without consequence”, stated Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “It is essential that institutions that claim to be allies of First Nations stand against this behaviour. With the spread of residential school denialism, we must not lose sight of the continued oppression and overrepresentation of First Nations living in poverty, in the justice system, or experiencing homelessness or the underrepresentation of Indigenous learners in the post-secondary system. These educational institutions have a responsibility to stand with us as we continue to tackle the impacts of colonialism and fight for the recognition of our rights”.

The BCAFN upholds the large counter protest that occurred, comprised of students, staff and community members, and stands alongside all individuals who push back against anti-First Nations racism. The BCAFN will always stand alongside residential school survivors, intergenerational survivors, project leads and all individuals engaged in the deeply important work of uncovering the truth about the residential school system.

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For further information, please contact:

Annette Schroeter, BCAFN Communications Officer, 778-281-1655

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